by John Marshall

“ From the Cadiz station Captain Donnelly proceeded to the Mediterranean, and joined Lord Collingwood off Toulon at the commencement of 1810, but was soon after compelled, in consequence of a cataract, to resign the command of the Invincible, a circumstance rendered the more mortifying, as he had with infinite pains succeeded in establishing a perfect system of discipline among his young ship’s company. ”

“ The Narcissus happening to be at Genoa when intelligence arrived of the British minister having left Paris, Captain Donnelly, eagerly seizing the opportunity that presented itself of evincing his zeal for the public service, issued orders for the vessels belonging to English merchants immediately to depart, and in several instances compelled their commanders to get under weigh and quit the harbour contrary to their inclinations, thereby saving a large sum to the underwriters. ”

“ Previous to his leaving the Maidstone, Captain Donnelly was voted a handsome piece of plate by the merchants concerned in the Oporto trade, for his zealous exertions in protecting a large homeward bound fleet, and bringing it in safety to England, at a time when the enemy’s privateers were very numerous, both in the Bay of Biscay and the Channel. ”

“ We next find him accompanying the expedition sent against the Cape of Good Hope, under the orders of Sir Home Popham and Sir David Baird. During the passage, the Narcissus was detached to procure intelligence; and proceeding on that service, Captain Donnelly captured a French privateer, of 12 guns and 70 men; retook a large English Guineaman, mounting 22 guns, laden with rum, tobacco, slaves, ivory, &c.; and drove on shore a ship of 32 twenty-four pounders and 250 men, having on board the ordnance of a French frigate, which had recently been wrecked in Table Bay. ”

“ On the 8th July, 1803, Captain Donnelly, being off Sardinia, fell in with, and after a pursuit of twenty-two hours, captured l’Alcion, a French corvette, of 16 guns and 96 men, returning from Alexandria, where she had been on a particular mission. He was subsequently entrusted by Lord Nelson with the command of a squadron of frigates employed in watching the port of Toulon ”

“ Immediately on his arrival in England, Captain Donnelly was appointed by the present Earl Grey, then at the head of the Admiralty, to the Ardent, of 64 guns, and ordered to escort a reinforcement of troops commanded by Sir Samuel Auchmuty, to la Plata. ”

“ It is here worthy of remark, that a French 74 and four frigates were then lying in Porto Ferrajo; and although they saw him pass on his way to Malta with the vessels he had thus rescued from the impending danger under his convoy, made no effort to obstruct him, although there can be no doubt that they were aware of the rupture which had taken place, one of their frigates having been chased into that port a day or two before by the Narcissus. ”

“ Hood.”⁠ That the claim alluded to by that distinguished commander would have been backed by the testimony of Captain Montagu, had he survived the combat, may be inferred from the contents of a letter written by the present Admiral of that name to Lieutenant Donnelly, dated the same day as the above:
“Dear Sir,– I have taken the liberty of begging your acceptance of a sword belonging to my late poor brother; it will remind you of a man who at all times spoke of you in the highest terms of regard and approbation. ”

“ He then went to Leghorn (where he found the Active frigate, Captain Davers) , adopted similar measures, and by his prompt and spirited conduct prevented property to an immense amount from falling into the hands of the enemy. ”